Mukasey Dodges Senators’ Grilling on Waterboarding

Staff / Truthdig Jan 31, 2008 During a visit to Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Attorney General Michael Mukasey irked certain senators by wiggling out of directly stating whether or not he believes that waterboarding is a form of torture, an expected but apparently exasperating dodge in the estimation of Sens. Edward Kennedy and Patrick Leahy, among others. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Leahy Snaps at White House Stonewaller

Staff / Truthdig Aug 3, 2007 Bush lackey Scott Jennings gives Sen Pat Leahy the broken-record treatment, which has become so familiar Witness Leahy's frustration break as Jennings refuses even to describe his duties: "Let's not be too contemptuous of this committee You work at the White House You're paid for by taxpayers You work for the American people I'm just asking you what kind of work you do". Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Cheney a ‘Big Fan’ of Gonzales

Staff / Truthdig Jul 31, 2007 Although Alberto Gonzales' critics might say otherwise about the attorney general, Vice President Dick Cheney (pictured) thinks Gonzales is a real standup guy. In an interview with CBS, Cheney insisted that Gonzales has been telling the truth in his face-offs with the Senate Judiciary Committee and said he's a "big fan" of the beleaguered attorney general. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Scandal Fatigue

Eugene Robinson / Truthdig Jul 27, 2007 It's way past bedtime for Gonzo. At this point, every day Alberto Gonzales continues as attorney general means more dishonor for the office and the nation -- and higher blood pressure for Senate Judiciary Committee members trying desperately to get a straight answer out of the man. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Panel Calls for Contempt Action

Staff / Truthdig Jul 26, 2007 The House Judiciary Committee has voted to hold former White House counsel Harriet Miers and former White House chief of staff Joshua Bolten (pictured above) in contempt of Congress for refusing to testify on the firing of U.S. attorneys. The measure will now move to the full House. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Goodling Spills the Beans

Staff / Truthdig May 24, 2007 Monica Goodling, who had refused to testify before the House Judiciary Committee until she was granted court-approved immunity, had plenty to say to the committee Wednesday. The former Justice Department liaison with the White House criticized Deputy Attorney General Paul McNulty, who she said was "not fully candid" with Congress. Goodling also admitted unintentionally breaking federal law by assessing prosecutor candidates on the basis of political allegiance. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Justice O’Connor Warns Against Judicial Inconsistency

Staff / Truthdig May 21, 2007 In an apparent rebuke to the Supreme Court's recent abortion decision, retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor told Fox News that the law "shouldn't change just because the faces on the court have changed." O'Connor, who time and again swung the court in favor of a woman's right to choose, also criticized lawmakers who try to put political pressure on the judicial process. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Democrats Issue First Subpoenas

Staff / Truthdig Mar 2, 2007 As expected, the House Judiciary Committee issued subpoenas Thursday as part of an investigation into the Justice Department's alleged partisan abuse of U.S. attorneys. The decision marks the first time Democrats have exercised their reclaimed subpoena power. Chairwoman Linda Sánchez called the move a "last resort." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Senate Prepares for Constitutional Showdown

Staff / Truthdig Jan 31, 2007 A parade of experts before the Senate Judiciary Committee confirmed the power of Congress to "validly limit the presidential use of force." Tuesday's hearing came as legislators prepared to square off against Bush's war escalation and amid the concern, shared by Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., that a constitutional battle is "imminent." Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

A Taste of Things to Come

Staff / Truthdig Jan 10, 2007 President Bush has finally been forced to capitulate when it comes to the judiciary, after igniting a firestorm by announcing he would stand by the nominations of three conservative judges that had been blocked by Democrats. Bush conceded on Tuesday, announcing that all three nominees had withdrawn from the process. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Truthdigger of the Week: Rep. John Conyers

Staff / Truthdig Aug 12, 2006 Truthdig salutes Rep. John Conyers Jr., a Democrat who has compiled and released a 371-page report that attempts to detail every alleged instance of wrongdoing that the Bush administration made during the run-up, prosecution and aftermath of the war in Iraq. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )